Obituary of Joseph John Bilecky

Peacefully at The Village of Riverside Glen, Guelph Tuesday morning April 7, 2009 in his 88th year. "Joe", as he was fondly known by all, of Sauble Beach formerly of Kitchener was predeceased by his best friend and wife, Sally and his brother Peter. He leaves behind his daughters Jo Ann Pearce and her husband Paul of Guelph, Debbie Bilecky of Sauble Beach and three grandchildren; Andrea and her husband Ron of Burlington, Marisa and her partner Eric of Innisfil and Darrell Pearce of Brampton. He is also survived by his sister Juliet Goodwin of Miami, Florida and nieces and nephews. Joe is best known as Sauble Beach's plumber extraordinaire. No clogged toilet or frozen pipe was too big for Joe to take on. Joe and Sally were natives of Kitchener-Waterloo but made a life for themselves in Sauble Beach and considered the beach to be their true home. Joe, a veteran of WWII, was also a long-time employee of Coca-Cola Bottling in Kitchener and was a staunch Coca-Cola loyalist; something he wishes he had imparted on youngest daughter Debbie, who prefers Pepsi. After permanently relocating to the beach in the 1970's, "Joe the Plumber" as many referred to him, began a new business venture, Joe Bilecky Plumbing Ltd., with his wife and business partner Sally, acting as reception, scheduling, accounts receivable and public relations. She was the brains and he was the brawn. Joe and Sally later became grandparents and had the privilege of spoiling Andrea, Marisa and Darrell much to their parent's complete and total approval. Joe was a super grandpa and only occasionally forgot to pick up Andrea at the bus stop after coming home from kindergarten and always had special Pizza Fridays with Marisa, which could account for why that was the only food she ate until she was 23. Grandpa Joe was also a master "Monster" player and scarred his grandchildren to the point of not being able to sleep alone. In later years, Grandpa was always there to joke and visit with, and to slip a twenty dollar bill in the girls' pockets - for you know, coffee or something. Joe's gentle, easy going nature will be missed by all and we will always hold our memories of him close to our hearts. Joe's family would like to express heart-felt thanks and gratitude to the nurses and support staff of Riverside Glen in Guelph who tended to Joe in the last years of his life with the highest degree of compassion and devotion. In memory of Joe he asked that you make a sizeable purchase at your neighbourhood plumbing-mart or a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Funeral Service will be conducted from the ZION AMABEL UNITED CHURCH, Sauble Beach Monday afternoon April 13th at 2:00 pm with Rev. Gerry Hofstetter officiating. Visitation one hour prior to service. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener. Messages of condolence for the family are welcome at www.downsandsonfuneralhome.com A tree will be planted in the Memorial Forest of the Grey Sauble Conservation Foundation in memory of Joe by the DOWNS AND SON FUNERAL HOME Hepworth 519-935-2754 or Toll Free 1-888-340-3467